OLYMPIA – A vigorous competition is under way to decide which Democratic lawmaker will run the committee overseeing the state’s transportation system.
Rep. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, is viewed as a leading candidate for the much-coveted chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee, the panel that writes transportation policies and spends billions of tax dollars on road and transit projects.
“There’s a good chance I could become the chair,” Lovick said. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
If selected, he must abandon his leadership position as speaker pro tem in which he conducts the majority of the House floor sessions.
Such an appointment also would seemingly quash his notion of running for Snohomish County sheriff next year. Lovick said last week that he’s considering seeking the seat.
On Sunday, the 62-member Democratic caucus will meet, elect its leadership team and name its Committee on Committees to recommend a leader for the panel. A decision by the caucus is expected in early December.
The Transportation Committee is getting all the attention because it is an open job. Last year’s chairman, Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, won election to the state Senate.
Rep. Deb Wallace, D-Vancouver, the vice chairwoman, was one of the first to tell her colleagues she wants the job.
Also seeking the position are Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island; Rep. Dennis Flanagan, D-Tacoma; Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Anacortes; Rep. Bill Fromhold, D-Vancouver; and Rep. Geoff Simpson, D-Covington.
Each is phoning and writing colleagues, who eventually will get to vote on the choice.
Lovick’s name surfaced only in the past few weeks. Some of those vying for the job didn’t know he wanted it and said his entry alters the decision-making calculus.
“I would think John would be more than a significant candidate,” Flanagan said.
House Speaker Frank Chopp does not want to lose Lovick from the Legislature, where he is much admired by Democrats and Republicans.
Chopp contacted Lovick to find out if he was interested in the chairmanship. Lovick said yes. Lovick denied any deal was struck in which he would be named chairman if he agreed not to run for sheriff.
Whoever is chosen will run one of the Legislature’s most influential panels.
This year, the chairman will write the transportation budget, spelling out how gas tax and car tab revenues are spent and which roads and bridges get repaired. Once acted on by the House of Representatives, the budget will be sent to the state Senate for review.
This year, the House panel will likely debate replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, rebuilding the Highway 520 floating bridge and reshuffling power among transit agencies.
“There are so many issues that we have to get to work on,” said state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee, who is not endorsing any candidate.
A major challenge is dealing with the effects of inflation on the state’s ability to carry out $8.5 billion in projects approved by the Legislature in 2005. Transportation officials estimate the cost of those projects is up $1 billion.
“If it’s true, we will have to rework that project list,” said Rep. Brian Sullivan, D-Mukilteo, a transportation committee member.
Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Monroe, has no say in who becomes the leader but knows what traits he’d like to see in the choice.
“My preference is that it be someone who understands not only the urban concerns but also the rural concerns,” he said, specifically mentioning the lack of state funding for improvements on routes such as U.S. 2 in Monroe.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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